Postage stamp applicator

ABSTRACT

An automatic postage metering machine including apparatus for automatically advancing individual envelopes along a path and a driven shaft rotated one complete revolution each time an envelope passes along the path, a hollow drum and shaft affixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, sprockets mounted within the drum for engaging perforated stamps and metering a predetermined number of stamps from a roll mounted on said shaft through a slot in the outer periphery of the drum for each rotation of said drum, and a reciprocating knife mounted on said drum for severing the predetermined number of stamps from the roll during each revolution of the drum.

United States Patent [191 Whiteford et a1.

1 1 POSTAGE STAMP APPLICATOR [22] Filed: Sept. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 289,221

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 157,374, June 28,

1971, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl 156/442, 156/521, 15'6/528,

156/566 [51] Int. Cl B43m'13/00 [58] Field of Search 156/566, 521, 528, 571,

[ 1 Apr. 9,-1974 6/1965 Dorn et al 156/442 2/1928 Mohn 156/378 vEdell 1 ABSTRACT An automatic postage metering machine including apparatus for automatically advancing individual envelopes along a path and a driven shaft rotated one complete revolution each time an envelope passes along the path, a hollow drum and shaft affixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, sprockets mounted within the drum for engaging perforated stamps and metering a predetermined number of stamps from a roll mounted on said shaft through a slot in the outerperiphery of the drum for each rotation of said drum, and-,a reciprocating knife mounted on said drum for severing the predetermined number of stamps from the roll during each revolution of the drum.

7 Claims, 15 DrawingFigures [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,346,439 10/1967, Bollman et a1 156/522 3,393,113 7/1968 Houss 4.156/522 93 54. 25 i 55 E 4 T 1 POSTAGE STAMP APPLICATOR This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 157,374, filed June 28, 1971 now abandoned.-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the field of machines for applying postage to envelopes, there are many instances wherein large companies and the like send out large quantities of similar pieces of mail, or similar envelopes containing similar material. Because all of these pieces are similar they require similar postage and, rather than place this postage on each envelope by hand, automatic machines can be utilized. One type of automatic machine, which is commonly used, is a postage metering machine. Postage metering machines print the desired amount of postage on the envelope. The main problem with these machines is the loss of postage whenever envelopes do not pass through the machine or whenever an envelope must be discarded. Further, the machines must be periodically serviced and the head must be periodically removed and taken to the post office, 'where postage is purchased and the head is reset to the purchased tors do not operate very well, because many of the stamps are not applied properly and the machines can only apply one stamp at a time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a postage stamp applicator including rotary means for advancing envelopes individually, a hollow drum and shaft rotatably attached to said rotary means for rotating one turn each time an envelope is advanced and further positioned adjacent said rotary means so that the outer periphery of the drum engages the upwardly directed surface of each envelope, means 'for mounting a perforated roll of stamps onsaid shaft and directing a free end of the roll through the shaft to the drum, metering means mounted within the drum for receiving the free end of the roll of stamps and metering a predetermined number of stamps onto the outer periphery of the drum for each revolution thereof, and means for cutting the metered stamps from the roll during each revolution.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved postage stamp applicator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a conversion unit which can be utilized with a postage metering machine to convertthe machineinto a postage stamp applicaton.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simplified. postage stamp applicator which is adjustable to apply substantially any desired number of stamps to an envelope.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled inv the art upon consideration 'of the accompanying specification, claims and drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view'in top plan of the postage stamp applicator mounted on the letter advancing apparatus of a postage metering machine with a portion of the housing removed, portions thereof broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, portions thereof broken away and shown in section; i

FIG. 3 is a view in end elevation as seen from left to right in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view as seen generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, portions thereof rotated to a different position to better illustrate the construction thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectionalview as seen from the line 5'5- in FIG. I;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as seen from the line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view as seen from the line 7 7 in FIG. 2;

"FIG. 8 is a sectional view as seen generally along the irregular line 88 FIG. 2;

FIG. 9'is an enlarged sectional view as. seen from the line 99 in FIG. 3-; i i

F IO. 10 is an enlarged'sectional view as seen from the li'nel0l0 in FIG. I;

FIG. l1 is a sectional view as seen from the line 111Iin FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a sectional view as seen from the line 12 -12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 13-l3 in FIG. 2;.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from the line 1414 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating operation' of the envelope advancing mechanism.

In the figures thenumeral 10 generally designates a box-shaped rectangular housing having a'bottom wall 11, end walls 12 and 13 and a U-shaped cover l4 (illustrated in broken lines in FIGS. '2 and 3 The bottom wall 11 has four generally L-shaped feet 15 extending downwardly therefrom and designed to engage mating upwardly projecting feet 16 on a postage metering machine generally designated l7. The printing head of the postage metering machine 17 is removed and the housing 10 is operatively received on the postage metering machine 17 in place thereof. Although the illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a modified postage metering machine, it should be understood that a complete self-contained postage stamp applicator could be constructed and would be within the scope of this invention. Apparatus for modifying postage metering machines is disclosed as the preferred embodiment because many companies, etc., which would have use for a postage stamp applicator, already have postage metering machines and converting these machines, eitherpermanently or temporarily, to postage stamp applicators is simple and inexpensive.

An elongated cylindrically-shaped shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in bearings in end walls 12 and 13 so as to extend between end walls 12 and 13 and outwardly a short distance from each end. The end of shaft 20 which extends outwardly from the end wall 12 has a transversely extending slot therein designed to matingly engage an outwardly directed, transversely extending cog or tooth 21 in the end of a shaft 22. The shaft 22 forms a part of the postage metering machine 17 and is driven by internal connections in a manner to be explained presently. With the housing correctly mounted on the postage metering machine 17 the shaft is coaxially engaged with the shaft 22-for rotation therewith.

v The portion of the shaft-20 extending between the end walls 12 and 13 is substantially reduced in crosssectional area, by removing all but a portion of the'arcuate outer periphery thereof.- A spool 25 is rotatably affixed to the shaft 20 within the reduced crossof the metering wheel 45 pulls stamps 26 from the spool 25 and pushes them through the slot 49 to'the outersurface 41 of the drum 40.

The metering wheel 45 is mounted on a shaft which extends through the side wall of the drum 40 and has a four-pronged star wheel 50 coaxially affixed thereto. The star wheel 50 is positioned between the outer surface of the drum 40 and the outer surface of the end wall 13. A rotatably mounted finger S1 is biased, by

sectional area, for rotation about an axis perpendicular shaft 20 within the housing 10. The end of the shaft 20 extending through the end wall 13 is hollow, or has an' axially extending slot 27 therein, and the free end of the ing roller 30 is rotatably mounted on an irregularly shaped wire arm 31, which is-affixed to the shaft 20 by means of a screw 32. The arm 31 is engaged over the screw 32 in a manner to provide torsional spring-action on the roller 30 and maintain a tension on the stamps 26, extending from the spool 25, over the roll 30 and through the slot 27, tending to pull the stamps 26 from the slot 27.

.roll of stamps 26 is engaged therethrough. A tension- The end of the shaft 20 extending through the end wall 13, has an irregularly shaped drum 40 coaxially affixed thereto. The drum 40 is at least partially cylindrical with an arcuate outer surface 41 coaxial with the shaft 20 and spaced radially outwardly therefrom. The central portion of the drum 40 is hollow and incommu nication with the slot 27 in the shaft 20 so that the stamps 26 emerge from the slot 27 into the'hollow por-- tion of the drum 40. vit should be understood that the drum 40 might be constructed in a variety of configurations and the present embodiment thereof was designed for ease of construction and explanation.

., A metering wheel 45 is rotatably mounted within the hollow portion of the drum 40 adjacent to the connectionof the shaft 20 to the drum 40. The metering wheel 45 is mounted'for rotation about an axis parallel with and spacedtransversely from the axis of theshaft 20.-

tering wheel 45. As the stamps 26 travel from the slot 27 inv the shaft 20 and aroundthe metering wheel 45,

they pass into a slot 49 extending from adjacent the metering wheel 45to the outer surface 41. Thus, rotation means of a spring 52, into engagement with the star wheel 50 and operates as a brake to prevent inadvertent rotation of the star wheel 50. Rotation of the shaft '20 and drum 40 cause the star wheel 50 to move in a concentric circle about the axis of the shaft 20. A fixed peg is attached to the end wall 13 in outwardly directed relationship so as to lie approximately in the path of the star wheel 50. As the shaft 20 and drum 40 make a complete rotation, the star wheel 50 is moved in a complete circleabout the axis of the shaft 20 and upon moving past the fixed peg 55, a cog of the star wheel 50 engages the fixed peg 55 and causes the 'star wheel 50 to rotate. The fixed peg 55 rotates the star wheel 50, and the attached metering wheel 45, suffi' ciently to push an entire stamp 26 out of the slot 49 so thatthe perforations are approximately at the outer.

surface 41 Two additional spring biased pegs 56 and 57 are affixed to the end wall. 13 in parallel spaced relationship from the fixed peg 55 so as to lie approximately in the path of the star wheel 50. The pegs 56 and 57 are axiallymovable relative to the end wall 13 and are biased outwardly by springs 58 and 59, respectively. The pegs 56 and 57 have axially extending slots the'rethrough with irregularly shaped cam elements 60 and 61 extending therethrough', respectively. The cam elements 60 and 61 are fixed together and slidably engaged in a mounting element 62, affixed to the inner surface of the .end wall 13. Both cam elements 60 and 61 are affixed to a lever 63, which is utilized to manually slide the cam elements 60 and 61 relative to the pegs 56 and 57. The cam elements 60 and 61 are constructed so that in a first position of the lever 63, both-of the pegs 56 and 57 are drawn inwardly toward the end wall 13 and do not engage the star wheel 50 during movement thereof around its circular path. ln'a-second position of the lever 63 the'peg 56 is allowed to move'outwardly, under the bias of the spring 58, to engage the star wheel 50, while the peg 57 ismaintained in a retracted position. in a third position of the lever 63 both. of the pegs 56 and.57 are in a position to engage the star wheel 50. The pegs 55', 56 and 57 are spaced apartsufficiently to engage different teeth on thestar wheel 50 and cause a similar amount of rotation thereof. For example, the fixed peg 55 always causes the star wheel 50 to turn'sufficiently to push one stamp from the slot 49. Moving the lever 63 to allowthe peg 56 .to engage the star wheel 50 causes the star wheel 50 to rotate twice as far and push two stamps from the slot 49. Moving the lever 63 to allowvboth of the pegs 56 and 57 to engage the starwheel 50 causes the star wheel 50 to rotate threetimes as far as the fixed peg 55 and push three stamps from the slot 49. it is of course understood that additional pegs or means might be utilized to meter more than three stamps, if desired.

A knife blade having a serrated cutting edge 71 is slidably engaged in a slot 72 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) which is positioned in the drum 40 approximately perpendicular to the slot 49 at the outer surface 41. A spring 73 biases the blade 70 away from the slot 49. A lever 75 is pivotally affixed to the drum 40 for rotation about an axis 76, approximately in the center of the lever 75. One end of the lever 75 extends outwardly from the drum 40 toward the end wall 13 and the other end of the lever 75 is pivotally affixed to the knife blade 70. During rotation of the drum 40, subsequent to rotation of the star wheel 50 and metering wheel 45 to push stamps from the slot 49, the lever 75 engages a stop 77, which causes pivotal movement thereof and subsequent sliding of the knife blade 70 from the slot 72 (see dotted positions in FIG. 9). As the blade 70 slides in the slot 72, the serrated edge 71 thereof engages perforations between stamps 26 and severs the desired amount of stamps from the roll. As the lever 75 passes the stop 77 the blade 70 is biased back into the slot 72 by the spring 73. It should be understood that other means might be utilized to sever the stamps 26 but the blade 70 and associated apparatus is illustrated because of its simplicity and accuracy.

An elongated generally L-shaped pipe 80 is mounted within the housing with one end thereof extending outwardly from the end wall 13 of the housing 10 in an axial direction adjacent the drum 40. The pipe 80 has an open section in the top thereof with a wick 81 positioned thereon for applying moisture to stamps as the drum 40 rotates. The opposite end of the pipe 80 has an opening therein with a removable stop 82 for placing water in the pipe 80. Many other means might be utilized for moistening stamps as the drum 40 rotates but the pipe 80 is illustrated because of its simplicity.

Referring to FIG. 15, the postage metering machine 17 has a first eccentric roller 85 mounted to extend upwardly through a slot in an envelope supporting surface 86. Each time the roller 85 makes a completerotation, a single envelope is removed from the bottom ofa stack 87 of envelopes. The envelope removed from the bottom of the stack 87 is advanced between a pair of rotating belts 88 and 89 which move the envelope past a lever 90. The lever 90 is connected to apparatus which prevents the roller 85 from rotating until the lever 90 has moved from the activated position, shown in full lines, to the inactivated or normal position, shown in dotted lines. Beyond the lever 90, a roller 93 is positioned so as to extend slightly upwardly through a slot in the envelope supporting surface 86 immediately beneath the drum 40 of the postage stamp applicator, The roller 93 and drum 40 cooperate to advance the envelope ther'ebetween and the internal mechanism of the postage metering machine 17 is constructed so that the shaft 22 makes one complete revolution for each envelope passing through the machine. Thus, as an envelope leaves the belts 88 and 89 and actuates the switch 90, the roller 93 and drum 40 begin to rotate and advance the envelope further. As the drum 40 rotates the metering wheel 45 pushes a stamp 26 outwardly through the slot 49, which stamp is drawn over the wick 81 .to moisten the glue and pressed onto the surface of the 4 envelope by the outer surface 41 of the drum 40. The

lever 75 and stop 77 are positioned to cause the blade 70 to sever the stamp 26 at approximately the time that it is pressed onto the envelope. 8

Since the various components of the postage metering machine 17 are already constructed to operate correctly as envelopes pass therethr'ough, the stamp will be accurately positioned in the upper right-hand corner of the envelope, assuming the envelope is correctly positioned in the stack 87. Further, it will be noted that the stamps are applied from the right-hand side of the envelope toward the left (see FIG. 15) so that one, two or three stamps will be correctly positioned on the envelope. Also, since the drum starts rotation at the same instant for the passage of each envelope through the machine, the stamps will always be spaced the same distance from the right side of the envelope.

A knob 95 is affixed to the shaft mounting the metering wheel and star wheel on the opposite side of the drum 40 from thestar wheel 50. The knob 95 provides manual movement of the metering wheel 45 for reloading new rolls of stamps in the apparatus. An indexing lock (see especially FIG. 1) includes a U-shaped rod 96.having the bight thereof pivotally mounted by means of a grooved member 97. One arm of the rod, extending from one side of the member 97 underlies a leaf spring 98 and the other arm, extending from the other side of the member 97 is biased by the leaf spring 98 toward the shaft 20. The second arm of the rod 96 has a hooked end formed thereon which is adapted to engage a hole in the shaft 20 and prevent the rotation thereof. An indexing lever 99 engages the leaf spring 98 in one position and removes the bias from the rod 96 to remove the hooked end from the hole in the shaft 20 and allow free rotation of the shaft 20. In the other position the lever 99 is disengaged from the leaf spring 98 and the hooked end of the rod 96 prevents rotation of g the shaft 20.- The indexing lock stops the shaft 20 in the normal or non-operating position so that the housing 10 can be removed or positioned in the postage machine and all parts, including cog 21 and the slot in shaft 20, will be correctly aligned. Thus, the apparatus can be quickly and-easily'removed or replaced on the postage machine and the various parts will be in the correct position. i

While we have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. We desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular form shown and we intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention. 7

What is claimed is:

l. Postage stamp applicator conversion apparatus for an automatic postage metering machine having means for automatically advancing individual envelopes along a predetermined path anda driven shaft which rotates one turn each time an envelope passes through the machine, said conversion apparatus comprising:

a. a housing with an at least partially hollow shaft rotatably I mounted therein, said housing being adapted to attach to the postage metering machine with said partially hollow shaft coaxially affixed to the driven shaft; b. an at least partially hollow drum having a slot in the periphery thereof and coaxially affixed to said' partially hollow 'shaft for rotation therewith and roll through the hollow portion of said shaftto said drum; I

d. metering means mounted within said drum and adapted to receive the free end of the roll of stamps in engagement therewith for moving at least one stamp through the slot in the periphery of said drum for each rotation of said drum; and

e. cutting means associated with said drum for cutting the stamps moved through the slot from the roll'after a predetermined amount of rotation of said drum.

2. A postage stamp applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for mounting a perforated roll of stamps includes a spool and means for maintaining tension on the stamps extending from the spool to the metering means.

3. Stamp applicator conversion apparatus for a metering machine having'means for advancing envelopes along a predetermined path and a driven shaft which rotates one turn each time an envelope passes through the machine, said conversion apparatus comprising:

a. a housing with ashaft rotatably mounted therein,

adapted to attach to the driven shaft;

b. a drum affixed perpendicular to said shaft for rotation therewith and further positioned so that a peripheral surface of said drum engages the surface of an envelope advancing alongthe path;

c. means for mounting a perforated roll of stamps on said shaft for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said shaft; 1

d. means including slot means in said shaft for directing a free end of said roll through said shaft to said drum;

e. metering means mounted on said drum and adapted to receive the free end of the roll of stamps in engagement therewith for moving at least one stamp into engagement with an envelope during each rotation of said drum; and

f. means associated with said drum for cutting the stamp from the roll after a predetermined amount of rotation of said drum.

4. In a stamp dispensing apparatus including a housing, a stamp affixing drum rotatably mounted thereon, metering means on said drum operative upon rotation of said drum through a single revolution to meter a predetermined number of stamps from said drum, the improvement comprising i said drum being mounted on shaft means for common rotation therewith, first means for mounting a roll of stamps on said shaft means remote from said drum, and second means for guiding a free end of the roll through the shaft means to the drum for engagement by said metering means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first means mounts said roll of stamps for rotation about an axis generally prpendicularto the axis of rotation of said shaft means. 7

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second means includes a partially hollow shaft means 7. The apparatus of claim 6 including movable means positionedv between said roll and said drum to form a loop insaid stamps extending therebetween to provide an unrolled supply of stamps for said metering means 

1. Postage stamp applicator conversion apparatus for an automatic postage metering machine having means for automatically advancing individual envelopes along a predetermined path and a driven shaft which rotates one turn each time an envelope passes through the machine, said conversion apparatus comprising: a. a housing with an at least partially hollow shaft rotatably mounted therein, said housing being adapted to attach to the postage metering machine with said partially hollow shaft coaxially affixed to the driven shaft; b. an at least partially hollow drum having a slot in the periphery thereof and coaxially affixed to said partially hollow shaft for rotation therewith and further positioned so that the outer surface of said drum engages the outwardly directed surface of envelopes advancing along the path; c. means for mounting a perforated roll of stamps on said shaft for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said shaft and for directing the free end of the roll through the hollow portion of said shaft to said drum; d. metering means mounted within said drum and adapted to receive the free end of the roll of stamps in engagement therewith for moving at least one stamp through the slot in the periphery of said drum for each rotation of said drum; and e. cutting means associated with said drum for cutting the stamps moved through the slot from the roll after a predetermined amount of rotation of said drum.
 2. A postage stamp applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for mounting a perforated roll of stamps includes a spool and means for maintaining tension on the stamps extending from the spool to the metering means.
 3. Stamp applicator conversion apparatus for a metering machine having means for advancing envelopes along a predetermined path and a driven shaft which rotates one turn each time an envelope passes through the machine, said conversion apparatus comprising: a. a housing with a shaft rotatably mounted therein, adapted to attach to the driven shaft; b. a drum affixed perpendicular to said shaft for rotation therewith and further positioned so that a peripheral surface of said drum engages the surface of an envelope advancing along the path; c. means for mounting a perforated roll of stamps on said shaft for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said shaft; d. means including slot means in said shaft for directing a free end of said roll through said shaft to said drum; e. metering means mounted on said drum and adapted to receive the free end of the roll of stamps in engagement therewith for moving at least one stamp into engagement with an envelope during each rotation of said drum; and f. means associated with said drum for cutting the stamp from the roll after a predetermined amount of rotation of said drum.
 4. In a stamp dispensing apparatus including a housing, a stamp affixing drum rotatably mounted thereon, metering means on said drum operative upon rotation of said drum through a single revolution to meter a predetermined number of stamps from said drum, the improvement comprising said drum being mounted on shaft means for common rotation therewith, first means for mounting a roll of stamps on said shaft means remote from said drum, and second means for guiding a free end of the roll through the shaft means to the drum for engagement by said metering means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first means mounts said roll of stamps for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said shaft means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second means includes a partially hollow shaft means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 including movable means positioned between said roll and said drum to form a loop in said stamps extending therebetween to provide an unrolled supply of stamps for said metering means. 